A discussion of safety in the Performing Arts for professionals, students, teachers, and administrators. A sometimes terrifying look at some surprising conditions, what you might do about them; and how to plan for better safety in your facility, teaching program, and career.

Friday, November 30, 2012

The Event Live Expo and Summit this February 5 thru 7, 2013 in Los Angeles, California looks to be a tremendous resource for Event Safety information. The organizers have planned six Summit sessions to fill the second day of the expo (February 6th) and numerous elements of event planning and execution will be addressed. A run-down of the day can be found at:

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Author and Lawyer John Barylic has summarized the events that led up-to and resulted in the 2003 fire that killed 100 people at The Station Nightclub in East Warwick, Rhode Island. His book summarizes the mounds of documents researched on behalf of the families of those injured and killed that fateful night.

The story of the fire, its causes, and its legal and human-tragedy aftermath, is one of human lives put at risk by petty economic decisions – by a band, club owners, promoters, building inspectors and product manufacturers. Any one of those decisions could have potentially avoided the tragedy. Together, however, they formed a fatal critical mass.

Monday, November 26, 2012

While touring the Mesa Arizona Arts Center (which is a fantastic set of four venues: www.mesaartscenter.com) the Technical Director, Robby Elliot, showed me a simple rig that they use to prevent unexpected run-aways in the fly system. Robby explained that due to the short time constraints imposed during some show strike operations, sometimes the stage crew gets ahead of the fly crew when unloading the battens. This leaves the counterweight arbors heavy and prone to accidents while the weight loading crew plays catch-up.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has posted resource links for preparedness information on their web site (www.preservationnation.org/resources/technical-assistance/disaster-recovery/cultural-institutions-prep.html), Aside from the safety implications for severe weather, earthquakes, fire, and floods, it is socially responsible to protect our historic architecture from the ravages of arson, time, insects, and natural disasters. "They don't build 'em like they used to" may be a common phrase, however, it it is not just the structures that are at risk, it is the contents of the buildings, too.

Finding safe and secure off-site storage for historical documents and records should be a priority for any organization that owns or manages a facility. Storing fragile wood and paper items in basements is an invitation to destruction in the event of a fire or flood, and insect infestations can also erode and damage goods. Water damage can be significant when even a small fire erupts, as fire fighters work vigorously to see that a fire won't spread throughout a building by dousing it liberally with thousands of gallons of water. Water runs down hill, so anything in lower levels can be flooded by fire suppression water as it drains down through cracks and crevices.

How is your fuel supply?

Another good reason to use off-site storage for scenery, props, and costumes is in the cause of fire reduction. What is not present as fuel cannot contribute to the fire. Other benefits are the reduction of clutter allowing more efficient use of the available spaces.

Friday, November 23, 2012

QUINCY, MA -- The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has teamed up with a number of public and private organizations to form The Cocoanut Grove Coalition to preserve the history of the monumental nightclub fire that took the lives of 492 people 70 years ago.

The deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history occurred in Boston on November 28, 1942. The coalition includes the Boston Fire Department, the Boston Fire Historical Society, Boston Fire Museum, City of Boston Archives, Boston Public Library, and Massachusetts General Hospital.

According to Sue Marsh, the NFPA’s librarian, time was of the essence as all agreed that it was vital not to let more time pass before gathering additional resources, especially personal accounts from those impacted by the fire, “knowing that if we didn’t, things would be lost.”

Three videos in which Cocoanut Grove fire victims tell their stories exemplify the rich content that has come from these collections and this project.

All of the organizations represented in the coalition have material related to the fire. The intent of the project, according to Marsh, is to provide a single way to access all of the information as well as attract additional information that is out there but has not surfaced.

The NFPA library receives more requests related to Cocoanut Grove than any other incident.

“Unlike some earlier landmark fires, like the Triangle Shirtwaist Co. fire in New York in 1911, the Cocoanut Grove fire did not result in significant changes to NFPA codes,” writes Fred Durso, Jr. in the November / December 2012 issue of the NFPA Journal.

However, Boston and municipalities throughout the country underwent sweeping changes, including the reclassification of nightclubs and restaurants as places of public assembly, which is how they were already regarded in the Building Exits Code. The change introduced more stringent requirements for exits, emergency lighting, occupancy capacities, and other safety features.”
For more information, visit The Cocoanut Grove Fire website, www.cocoanutgrovefire.org.

One of the key causes of the collapse was determined to be that the stage crew could not remove the stage canopy fabric walls in time to unload the structure from the winds. The panel ties had been previously removed due to a storm a week earlier, and when the fabric wall panels were reattached, they were re-secured with plastic zip-ties that were too tough to cut with a knife.

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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

WASHINGTON -- OSHA is encouraging retail employers to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during Black Friday and other major sales events during the holiday season.

In 2008, a worker was trampled to death while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of an after-Thanksgiving Day Black Friday sales event. OSHA recommends that retailers follow certain safeguards against this type of tragedy.

"Crowd control [management] and proper planning are critical to preventing injuries and deaths," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "OSHA urges retailers to adopt a crowd management plan during the holiday shopping season that includes a few simple guidelines."

Crowd Management plans should include:

• On-site trained security personnel or police officers. • Barricades or rope lines for pedestrians that do not start right in front of the venue's entrance. • Implementing crowd management measures well in advance of customers arriving at the event. • Emergency procedures in place to address potential dangers. • Explaining approach and entrance procedures to the arriving public. • Not allowing additional customers to enter the venue when it reaches its Maximum Occupancy level (NO SRO for spaces with fixed seating). • Not blocking or locking of exit doors.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

2012-11-13 - Sometime in the past week this blog passed a milestone of 170,000
views. The hit counter is rolling regularly now, and I want to let the
readers know that I really enjoy doing this. It has been quite rewarding to read the comments and questions that are posed both publicly and privately.

Again: Thanks! As a reward to you loyal readers, the first five people that send me an e-mail with a 50 word (give or take - I'm not too picky) note about how the Theatre Safety Blog has helped you be a better theatre person, you'll get a freeTheatre Safety Blog Teq-Shirt. How cool is that? Just send your note to: safety (at) teqniqal (dot) com [insert legal crud here . . no, just joking - but we'll be fair].

The TSB shirts are custom built to be reversed so you can be a theatre ninja during the show, and keep your butt from getting run-over during that chaotic time before and after a show. Just turn it inside-out -- and you'll be ready to go.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BREAKING NEWS:
2012-10-03 - Theatre Technical Director Lyle Henning at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia recently got shirt all over himself by responding:

"Theatre
Safety Blog has helped me not only understand my own safety, but how my actions
affect the safety of the people around me. I recently found myself in a
leadership position of an aging venue, and I have been commended for the amount
of maintenance and repair I have done in a short amount of time. Your Blog was
part of the inspiration for getting a widely used and very worn venue back into
a safe and efficient workplace. Thank you, and keep up the safe work!"

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Nov 5, 2012 - Bronx, New York. FDNY rolled multiple fire-fighting units on Monday in response to smoke and fire at the historic landmark Paradise Theater. The fire resulted from welding sparks that entered an air duct as work was being done to restore the 1929 venue. Fire crews remained on the scene for several hours to ensure that the fire did not restart due to overlooked pockets that might be hidden in walls or other building voids. Most of the damage to the building is thought to be smoke related, with some water damage.

Bronx Paradise Theater - Photo Credit: Niko J. Kallianiotis for The New York Times

The 4000 seat Paradise Theater is one of the last Atmospheric theaters that employed a dark blue ceiling to create the effect of an open night sky above the audience. Originally designed and used for both Vaudeville shows and cinema, the interior of both the lobby and the audience chamber is ornate. The elaborate wall murals that portray Italian Baroque buildings extend across the painted fire curtain. More history of the building can be found at: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/900.

The auditorium is the second largest in New York, only smaller than Radio City Music Hall, and the 23rd largest auditorium ever built in the country. It was designed by John Eberson, who was one of the most prominent theater
designers in the United States and inventor of the Atmospheric style,
the theater sought to transport visitors to an outdoor Baroque Italian
garden of marble pillars, cypress trees, plaster replications of
Michelangelo sculptures, vines, stuffed birds, and even a goldfish pond.
With a painted ceiling of stars bearing the constellation of Marcus
Loews' birth sign and a smoke machine producing simulated clouds,
viewers felt they were sitting under an evening sky. The result was a
multi-sensory movie experience, an escape. According to Eberson,
the auditorium was "a magnificent amphitheatre under a glorious moonlit
sky where friendly stars twinkled and wisps of cloud drifted." Additional descriptions of the theater can be found at: www.placematters.net/node/1310 and: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_Theater_%28Bronx,_New_York%29

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The US OSHA and UK HSE Fall Protection standards include a requirement that a rescue plan be in-place before climbing operations begin. Calling 911 is not a rescue plan. When a worker is hanging in a fall protection harness they can be subject to suspension trauma, so getting them down to terra-firma (the more firmer, the less terror) is the first priority.

Suspension trauma is the shut-down of the circulatory system due to the constrictions placed on the body by the fall protection harness. There are kits that you can supplement on your climbing gear that will deploy a short set of bootstraps that tie back to the suspension D-Ring and will allow you to 'stand-up' and take some of the pressure off of your leg and waist fittings, but this is only a temporary solution to the problem.

The OSHA / HSE rescue requirements allow for self-rescue. This can be a real time saver, as getting to a rescue kit, taking it up to an attachment point above the fallen worker, and reaching or rappelling down to attach the kit, then lowering the fall victim to the ground can be very time-consuming. Here are three self-rescue solutions that are worthy of consideration:

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The DUES3700 is a small hands-free speed controlled descender that can be pre-attached to your climbing gear and deployed as-needed, or it can be pre-deployed and ready to go. It can be used with up to 500 feet of rope.

The 3700 features quadruple-redundant braking, automatic speed-limiting technology, hands-free descent, and a speed control dial to control descent with just two fingers. Plus, the ropes can be replaced so it’s cost-effective and versatile. The unit can be reused repeatedly. More info at: www.deusrescue.com/products/devices/deus3700.aspx

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The LatchwaysPRD (Personal Rescue Device) is a backpack module that is fully-integrated with the climbing harness and preconnected to the fall arrest lanyard. If you fall, you just reach up to your shoulder and pull a release cord that unlocks the descender and it lowers you to the ground. Current models have a 65 foot rescue rope, and longer options are forthcoming. One drawback to this system is that you must send the unit to a Latchways service center to have it reset for the next use. More info at: www.latchways.com/personal-rescue-device-US

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

October 8, 2012. Madison, Wisconsin. A small fire started Monday morning at approximately 7:35 a.m. in a portion of the attic of Wisconsin Union Theater that is currently under construction. Smoke was seen pouring out of the north side and roof of the 73-year-old theater. Despite some problems getting to the hard-to-reach attic above the theatre, the fire was under control by 7:55am.

The Madison Fire Department firefighters were called to the scene at 7:38am and arrived three minutes later. The first crew on the scene reported a large amount of smoke coming from the side and roof of the building. A second alarm was requested to bring additional firefighters and equipment to the scene.

A fire crew entered the building and saw fire burning along the walls near the ceiling of the theater. They quickly extinguished the visible flames and began searching for access to the attic. Once an access door for the attic was located, firefighters pulled a water hose up into the attic. They found a large fire burning in the smoke filled attic. They extinguished all visible fire and began searching for any hot spots in the walls and ceiling.

Though the main portion of the building is isolated from the theater wing, it was evacuated as a precaution. There were no injuries to anyone working on the project. School officials said the extent of the loss was limited because the building was already gutted for renovation and was already cleared of items like seats. Police said the fire caused an estimated $10,000 in smoke and water damage, but the building did not suffer any structural damage.

The fire started as a result of cutting work being performed by a demolition crew. They torch cut into a section of wall that had some waxed paper content. According to one firefighter "It started in a wall. We had a report of a worker that was doing some cutting and it got into a shaft ... from that cutting procedure that he had done... and burned up through a shaft in the wall into the attic space."

Friday, October 5, 2012

When it comes to OSHA compliance, proper workplace signage can be your first line of defense against being cited for failure to post hazard communications. The October DuraLabel newsletter hits the nail on the [zombie's] head this month, and they have been so kind as to allow us to re-post their timely information here.

As the undead begin to encroach during the waning daylight hours, it’s critical to make sure your safety signs are OSHA-compliant. OSHA’s primary hazard classifications for danger, warning, caution, and biohazard are designed to be noticed – important when you want to ensure your employees show up for work alive the next day. Use the following information to keep your employees safe, and at the same time avoid being cited by OSHA.

DANGER

Danger signs indicate an immediate hazard which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. Danger signs should be reserved for the most serious hazards and signify special precautions are necessary.

The DANGER signal word is printed in white letters on a red background and preceded by the safety alert symbol. The message panel, beneath the signal word, is where the safety message is printed, usually in black or red over white. You can also print in white over a black safety panel. Pictograms may be used to help workers recognize hazards sooner and from safe distances.

WARNING

Warning signs are one hazard level below danger signs. They describe a hazard which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.

The WARNING signal word is written in black on an orange background header and proceeded by a safety alert symbol. The text in the message panel may be printed in white letters on a black panel or black letters on a white panel. Warning signs and labels can be any size and printed in a landscape or portrait format. Keep in mind, alternative design and color options should only be used to improve worker comprehension.

CAUTION

A caution sign indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. Caution signs are used in areas where potential injury or equipment damage is possible, or to caution against unsafe practices. Caution signs should only be used if there is a risk of personal injury.

The CAUTION signal word is written in black letters on a yellow background and is preceded by a safety alert symbol, except when used for a non-personal injury. The message panel below the signal word contains the safety message and any additional safety symbols. Everything printed inside the message panel is black text on white or white text on black.

BIOHAZARD

OSHA 1910.1459(e)(4) states, “The biological hazard warnings shall be used to signify the actual or potential presence of a biohazard and to identify equipment, containers, rooms, materials, experimental animals, or combinations thereof, which contain, or are contaminated with, viable hazardous agents… presenting a risk or potential risk to the well-being of man.” The symbol design must conform with the example shown and contain the word “BIOHAZARD" or “BIOLOGICAL HAZARD.”

The biohazard symbol can be black, fluorescent orange, or an orange-red color. Background color is optional as long as there is sufficient contrast for the biohazard symbol to be clearly defined. A biohazard can also be indicated on a danger or warning sign and may include the safety alert symbol. If incapacitated zombies are strewn about your work area, they should be tagged with biohazard signs.

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Not included the DuraNews article was the correct use of ANSI NOTICE signs, so:

NOTICE

A notice sign provides information regarding operational policies. Notice signs are
used to inform workers about operational procedures that may affect safety or to instruct workers that specific PPE is required in the workplace.

Notice signs may include other graphic symbols to convey intent. The NOTICE signal word is written in white letters on a blue background , or blue letters on a white background . The message panel below the signal word contains the policy message and
any additional safety symbols. Everything printed inside the message
panel is black text on white.

For more information about signage, labels, and markers that are useful around your production environment, go to DuraLabel's web site.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Ty-Flot, makers of tool restraint lanyards, has introduced a new way to work with drop prevention equipped tools and tool belts. The Quick-Switch system allows the use of a short lanyard that fits between the tool and the worker's wrist so that long floppy lanyards are eliminated.

Conventional lanyards that are tied-off to work belts and climbing harnesses must be long enough to facilitate using the tool at extreme reach positions. These longer lanyards allow dropped tools to travel farther and pick-up more speed before they are restrained. If the tool lanyard loops over a railing, it can swing back and strike a worker severely.

The Quick-Switch lanyard connection on the short lanyards allow tools to change hands, and be stored without presenting large loops to snag on protruding objects around the worker.

Monday, October 1, 2012

The Event Safety Alliance (ESA) has solidified plans to move forward
with publishing an Americanized version of the widely-used U.K. guide of
best practices in the event production industry, The Event Safety Guide also known as The Purple Guide.

First published in the UK in 1999, The Event Safety Guide is a 33 chapter event production primer covering best practices for event production safety. The chapters include planning and management recommendations to specific topics such as electrical installation, sanitation, structures, and 30 other key elements for safe event production at every style and size event. The forum for suggestions at www.eventsafetyalliance.org is still open for comments.

Event Safety Alliance spokesperson, Jim Digby stated, "This is a collaborative effort by some of the best minds in the industry lending their expertise in the specific areas of event production safety they are most qualified in. This collaboration will provide event professionals with a reference guide that is more than a starting point to find solutions to common problems in attendee safety."
Digby is one of the founders of the organization and has testified before legislatures in regards to event safety procedures.

Although there is strong leadership at the ESA, the group maintains that “YOU ARE THE EVENT SAFETY ALLIANCE, and that input is needed through the web site from all industry professionals.
John Brown, another founder of the Event Safety Alliance, went on to say, "The Event Safety Guide brings together information needed by event organizers, their contractors and employees to help them prioritize safety in all aspects of event production."

The Event Safety Alliance will be conducting meetings and seminars at
this year's Event Live Expo (www.eventlive-expo.com) to be held in Los Angeles, February 5-7, 2013 on the Event Deck at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. Seminar topics will be announced soon.

Jim Digby states, "It is our hope to have the project completed by the Event Live Expo. However, this could be a project that comes in installments." To help expedite the project, the ESA has enlisted Timeless Communications (the publishers of the Event Production Directory [EPD], Front of House [FOH], Projection, Lights and Staging News [PLSN], and Stage Directions) to spearhead the production and editing of the book.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Actress Kristin Chenoweth was rushed to a New York hospital after she was injured on the outdoor set of "The Good Wife" that was shooting in Brooklyn, NY on Wednesday afternoon, July 11, 2012.

A source connected to the production of the CBS show said that Kristin was struck by a piece of lighting equipment that was dislodged from a scaffold due to a strong gust of wind.

The 44 year old Tony Award-winning actress immediately fell to the ground and her head impacted the concrete.

A witness said that Chenoweth was hit "square in the head" and appeared to be "knocked out cold. I thought she was dead at first."

A crew member called 911 around 5:07 PM ET to report a woman who had been hit in the head by a scaffold. The item that struck her was later identified as a ‘Lighting Silk’ (a metal frame with a fabric lighting diffusor media) and the boom stand that supported it. Paramedics treated Kristin on the set fitting her with a neck brace and putting her onto a stretcher. She was quickly taken away from the set in an FDNY ambulance and was admitted to a nearby hospital in Manhattan.

A representative for the New York Fire Department said that Kristin was being treated for "minor injuries" connected to the accident.

Chenoweth later said that she had been hit in the face by the lighting instrument and then hit the back of her head on the curb, which knocked her unconscious. She said that she had a 5½” skull fracture, possibly cracked or bruised ribs, some additional injuries to her hip, back, and neck. Two months later she was still requiring some physical therapy and wears a neck brace from time to time.

On August 13th she resigned from the cast of the show. "It is with deep regret to inform everyone that due to my injuries, I am unable to return to 'The Good Wife' at this time," Chenoweth said. "[I’m] Getting better slowly, and thank you, everyone, for your concern.”

The accident not only caused Chenoweth physical injury, but mental as well. The actress described how she struggled forming sentences and remembering words. She told the NY daily News that “I couldn’t really form a sentence after it happened. I’m the queen of multi-tasking. I’m not so good at that right now. I’ll be like, ‘Mom, are you talking on the thing that you push ... the phone?’ ”

“That’s been interesting, but that’s getting better. I’m grateful. It could have been much worse.”

The actress has been involved in other performance-related accidents, too.

She injured her neck during the pre-Broadway engagement of "Wicked" in 2003.

She fell off an elevated section of the stage during a rehearsal of the Broadway revival “The Apple Tree” in 2006.

She injured her back on the set of “Glee” when she tumbled down a set of concrete stairs in 2011.

Friday, August 31, 2012

BSR E1.42 – 201x, Entertainment Technology — Safety Standard for Orchestra Pit Lifts, is available for public review on the PLASA website until October 23, 2012. The last day to comment is October 22, 2012. It may be
downloaded for free at http://tsp.plasa.org/tsp/documents/public_review_docs.php.

Saenger Theatre, New Orleans, with split lift for Orchestra and Organ Console

BSR E1.42 is being written to address the lack of a national standard in North America for orchestra pit and forestage lifts, and to help establish minimum safety requirements and inspection procedures. The scope is limited to safety and to orchestra or forestage lifts that are installed as a part of the building and that are not custom-built for a single theatrical production.

Friday, August 24, 2012

There is a really interesting post at the Manufacturing.net web site about an underwater theatre that flipped on-end back in 1970. Blogger Karl Stephen recalls the incident and discusses what could have been a much more serious outcome for all involved. Fortunately, no lawsuits, injuries, or other damages ensued. The article can be read here:

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Alas, poor Yorick. He didn't heed the Safety Manual !

Safety is not a 'thing' or a book - it has to be a culture ingrained in your workplace. Every action by you or your co-workers must be continually examined to see if there is a better practice, procedure, or equipment to get the job done. Actions have consiquences. So do inactions.

You can't teach safety in a few of hours once a year. You have to continually discuss safety topics to keep them in the forefront of people's minds. The theatre is a dangerous place that is a mix of many different job descriptions, so rules and laws have to be researched and understood from many different sources. When you are loading a truck, you need to be a materials handling specialist, when you are flying scenery, you need to be a rigger, and when you are in the scene shop, you are on a construction site. Different skills sets and tools are required for each.